Two managers with track records in Ventura County government were appointed Tuesday as acting heads of the agricultural and behavioral health agencies.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors chose Susan Johnson as acting agricultural commissioner. The Fillmore woman succeeds Henry Gonzales, who quit to become agricultural commissioner in Monterey County.

The board also took action to appoint administrator Pete Pringle as director of the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department. The Simi Valley man succeeds Elaine Crandall, who resigned to take another job in the area.

Pete Pringle(Photo: Contributed photo)

Both were assigned immediately to the jobs until the permanent positions are filled. Searches are already underway for both posts, Assistant County Executive Officer Matt Carroll said.

A number of managers will handle Pringle’s current duties as head of the department’s youth division until a permanent director is named.

More than 20 people have applied for the behavioral health director’s job, so the post could be filled relatively quickly, officials said.

It’s not clear how long it will take to fill the agricultural commissioner’s spot. The job requires certifications and licenses that many applicants lack.

“It all depends on the number and quality of applicants,” Carroll said. “We’re hoping it is not too long.”

Johnson worked in the agricultural commissioner’s office as chief deputy before her retirement in 2011. She has remained active in the local agricultural community and came back after retirement to work as a temporary employee, officials said.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has not yet announced the selection of Gonzales or anyone else as that county’s new agricultural commissioner. The board was scheduled to discuss the appointment in closed session Tuesday but did not report any action, spokeswoman Maia Carroll said.

The Monterey County board is scheduled to take up the appointment again at its next meeting March 13, she said.